Wednesday, July 6, 2011

In the 4½ years since I've had children, one of the many things that I've learned is that traveling with them is a big process. A big, big process.

Whether you're just throwing things in the car to drive to Grandma's house or you're packing suitcases to fly off on vacation, it seems like even the planning stages are stressful. How can even a short trip require bringing along half the house?

Any parent that has prepared to leave knows that suddenly you find yourself with piles of clothes, toys, food, gear, and more and it seems impossible to pare them down. However, even though things like a baby swing and an exersaucer might be nice to have with you everywhere you go, it sure isn't practical to try to bring them.

Instead, it makes much more sense to look for portable, lightweight products that are easy to carry, simple to use, and are versatile enough to go anywhere... all of which are in the definition of the Go Anywhere Booster Seat from A Parent Company.

Originating in England, the founders of A Parent Company immediately saw the need for the Go Anywhere Booster Seat here in the U.S. and were happy to begin distributing such a great product to parents across the country.

Weighing only 1½ pounds, this travel booster seat folds up into a 12" x 11" x 4½" compact bag/package that comes complete with a carrying handle and shoulder strap. No more wondering how you're going to bring along your high chair to a friend's house or to your family cabin, simply throw the Go Anywhere Booster Seat over your shoulder and you're ready for mealtime.

When this innovative seat arrived, I was interested in seeing not only the quality but just how easy to use and versatile this would be for kids of all ages.

Recommended for kids ages 12 months and up (or once they can sit unsupported) and up to 40 pounds, the Go Anywhere Booster Seat was pretty much self-explanatory right from the start. In fact, my helpful 2-year-old assistant showed that she was not only able to carry this to where it needed to go...

...but that she could do a good portion of the setup as well. First, we unbuckled the shoulder strap from the top and the two straps around the sides while lifting up the magnetic closure holding the whole thing closed.

Then, the two side straps were quickly snapped on and tightened underneath the chair while the top strap securely closed around the seat back.

The combination of all three sturdy straps and just how easily they can be adjusted ensures that the entire seat stays very safe and secure, which is a must when it comes to hungry, wiggling toddlers.

In all, it only took a minute or two before the Go Anywhere Booster Seat was hooked on and ready for feeding time.

With the openness of the sides and the super-soft, thick bottom cushion, this seat really is large enough to accommodate children of various sizes. The 5-point restraint harness provides complete safety while being able to adjust each of the straps means that your little one is plenty comfortable as well.

Although I think that Little Sister B had extra love for the Go Anywhere Booster Seat due to the number of B's in the design that she loved pointing out, she also has been very happy sitting in it for meals at home and on our travels.

This booster seat has it all! When Big Sister E was younger I had a portable seat that had to be wedged just right onto the table and the metal arms nearly had to be screwed in to keep it in place - needless to say, it was a helpful thing to have but it wasn't all that convenient.

Instead, the Go Anywhere Booster Seat is lightweight and portable (and chic to carry around) and the entire process of getting it in place is fast and easy. When the meal is over it takes only seconds to wipe the BPA and Phthalate free surface clean with a damp cloth, detach it and turn it back into a "bag" to take with you or for Grandma to store until your visit. Simple!

Priced at $39.99 at various online retailers, the Go Anywhere Booster Seat is a product that any parent will be able to use for years to come and would make a great gift! You'll wonder how you managed feedings on the go without it! And, thanks to the generosity of A Parent Company, one person will get to experience the same convenience as well, because...

One lucky person will win a Go Anywhere Booster Seatfrom A Parent Company!

To enter to win: Tell me where the Go Anywhere Booster Seat would come in handy for you.

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).1 Extra Entry if you Like A Parent Company on Facebook.1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

2 Extra Entries (per follow method) if you follow me with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed, subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email, become a fan on Facebook or add Thanks, Mail Carrier to your blogroll.3 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to this post. Please leave an address where it can be found.Giveaway will end on July 27th at 11:59pm CST. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.

A big thank you to A Parent Company for providing a Go Anywhere Booster Seat for me to review as well as for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

We like to eat out a lot - so when my granddaughter comes to visit she gets put in her car seat on one of those restaurant car seat holders that has to be reversed to hold her particular seat - not so stable! This would be perfect.rmelton[at]hotmail[dot]com

Visiting my dad's house!! My parents are divorced and my dad's house doesn't have any baby/kid gear, so being able to take this for my daughter when we visit for dinner would be so much better than lugging her huge booster from home! I could even keep this in the car! And then I'd never forget it.

We go on vacation once a year and are *always* over at grandparents or friends houses. We had something similar with our first DD but were never totally thrilled with it. I felt like she was always canted at an angle or not quite high enough, but this one looks nice and sturdy and very secure. I'd love to have this for our second DD. :) Thanks for the chance!